It has been a strange few months for everyone, especially due to the lack of training, competitions, and social events. Over the last year we have seen so many new faces join the club. To start off a new series of player profiles, let’s get to know Pádraig.

Name: Pádraig Garrihy / Porridge
Age: 32
From: County Clare
Places you’ve lived: Clare, Galway, France (Saint Emilion), Vienna.

How did you end up in Vienna?
It felt like an adventure. I brought a backpack and my CV – I came here in Jan 2019 and got work in a kitchen.

Do you speak any other languages? Teach us a phrase
Some French, and my German is improving every day.
A French ‘old man’ phrase -“Sante – mais pas de pied”…Do it when cheersing a French person for a laugh. It roughly translates to “Smell – but not the feet.”

Best place to eat in Vienna?
Charlie Ps – best burger in Vienna.

What Gaelic sport do you play?
Hurling and football – half / corner forward

What teammate would you pick to be in quarantine with?
Jack Rea. He’s got lovely calves. 😂😂

How did you find the lockdown period generally?
Really enjoyable. As someone who has switched career paths and countries a lot recently, I don’t have anxiety for ‘maybes’ in the future, I’ve been in pseudo-lockdowns before and thrive in them. Plus, my family and friends are all healthy. I’m starting a podcast in the next 2 weeks – I guess that’s my new hobby. Also keeping sane by hitting a sliotar off a wall near my apartment during the week.

Tell us something about you we don’t know:
I finished 3rd in a 39 mile ultra marathon in Connemara 3 years ago.

Worst thing about being a Vienna Gael?
It’s predominantly Irish, for now. I want see the diversity of Vienna shown within our team line-ups.

Best thing about being a Vienna Gael?
The community itself. We had 80 plus people running for charity in a virtual relay marathon within a week of it being suggested. Echt leiwand oder?

Who is the most underrated Vienna Gael?
Dave Walsh. When he’s not nursing a foot injury, he brings a real touch of class to the hurlers.

What have you learned about yourself during the last two months?
That your energy is very important to the mentality of those around you. Smile more and others smile back. The environment that you choose is very important, especially when things are not going as planned.

Stay tuned for more player profiles, and keep an eye on the Vienna Gaels social media for upcoming announcements regarding training.